Process fob treating fabrics



Dec. l0, 1929. E. s. cHAPlN ET AL 1,738,946

PROCESS FOR TREATING FABRICS Original Filed Dec. 15, 1927 INVENTORS. 5.5. C/HP/M AfL/H60 K.

Patented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFlCE EDWARD S. CHALPIN, 0F PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND ARELI E. JACOBY, 0F ASHIBY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOBS T0 `'IHE DELTEX COMPANY, A CGRPORATION 02E' MASSACHUSETTS Application illed December 15, 1927, Serial No. 240,241. Renewed May 14, 1929.

This invention relates generally to the treatment of fabrics composed of various materi als, such as cotton, silk, rayon or wool, or mixtures of said materials7 and is particular- 1y applicable to the treatment of fabrics Where an ageing action is desired and especially to the treatment of vat color prints or dyes or discharge prints or other fabrics where reductions of the printing materials or dyes are necessary.

Heretofore, the apparatus usually employed in the ageing or treating of vat color prints or dyed fabrics comprised a standard construction which has embodied heating coils or equivalent heating devices and a supply of live steam which is introduced into the box or ager to displacel air which contains free oxygen that is detrimental to the reducing action. In the usual type of apparatus, it is customary to have blowers outside and above the point at which the goods enter and leave the ager, such blowers being used to carry o the excess steam which escapes from the ager through openings made necessary by the passage therethrough of the goods being aged or otherwise treated. Also in certain types of agers, blowers or suction devices have been applied directly to the rear end of the Iager. Since the actions and reactions which produce heat take place most quickly at the front or entrance portion of the ager, such a suction device carries theexcess heat developed at that point throughout the length of the box, thereby raising the temperature of the entire box to a point where the color cannot properly develop, owing to a retardation of the reducing action.

One of the objects of our invention is, therefore, to produce an improved process through 0 which the fabrics being aged may be treated during the ageing process without the usual disadvantages accompanying the use of methods and apparatus heretofore used for this purpose. As above mentioned, it is essential, in such treatment of printed or dyed goods that free oxygen of the atmosphere should be kept away from the portions of the fabric undergoing chemical or other reactions and for that reason the` goods are treated in an atmosphere of steam or steam vapors.

In the use of previous ageing apparatus, it has been found impossible to maintain the temperature at a sufficiently low point to carry out the ageing process evenly and satisfactorily because the extent of the liberation of heat has not been known and consequently no remedy provided. We have found that after the intro-duction of the fabric into the ageing device or apparatus the temperature 1s caused to rise to 230 or even to 240 F., which is very materially higher than is desirable to carry out the process to produce the best results. After considerable research work as to the cause of this rise in tempera# ture, `We have found that it is mainly due to various causes resulting from the actions `whioh occur during the ageing process,` and these include the giving olf of the latent heat Contained 1n the water vapors when they are To L condensed upon the fabric as it passes through the apparatus; chemical reactions resulting from the reduction of the dyes, heating coils intended t0 maintain the temperature; steam chests to prevent condensation; and the heat of the rolls and other metallic parts which tend to absorb and then radiate heat. However,`the giving oli of latent heat appears to take place whether the fabric has been printed or dyed, or whether it is plain, undyed or unprinted fabric, such as so-called grey goods, and therefore if it is desired to maintain an even temperature at a definite point in the vicinity of or slightly above 212 F. it has been practically impossible to do so on 85 account of a lack of accurate control and a suliicient dissipation of the heatgiven olf or accumulated as above described. Thel Vconsiderable amount of heat produced by the causes above referred to superheats the steam y act this e p substantial increase in pressure and conse- `When this is done quently there results a superheating of the steam and non-uniform temperatures at various points in the apparatus. In the case of printed or dyed fabrics these varying temperatures produce uneven chemical reactlons and result in uneven color effects in the goods as well as an imperfect reduction throughout the entire fabric. v

In ageing or fabric treatingdevices heretofore used, it has been customary to cause the fabric to travel in^up and down paths over rollers located in the upper and lower portions of the box or casing, these rollers being of such a size and located at such distances apart that the runs of the fabric over the rollersv are comparatively close together, that is, theA parallel runs have usually been only two or three inches a art and extend continuously and successively from one end of the box or casing-to the other. Owin to the close proximity of the runs of the fa ric in such cases theheat iven off when moisture is absorbed by the fa ric is more or less entrapped betweenthe runs thereof so that the temperature usually rises to points that are deleterious to the treatment of the fabric being passed through the ageing device, although moisture may be supplied in sufficientquantity in certain places by blankets or aprons to absorb some of-this heat. The amount of heat generated also varies considerably with the various kinds and weights of fabrics being treated.

he common way of determining the temperature within an ageing device has been to insert a short stemmed thermometer so as to extend not more than an inch or two inside of the box near the runs of the fabrics. In

vmost cases the temperature indicated under usual conditions is 21T-215 F. or thereabout, but the use of thermometers in this manner has failed to indicate the real temperatures that exist between the central portions of the runs of the fabric at the points where an accurate control of the tem erature is more essential. We have found t at it is necessary and iessential to so locate a thermometer that the temperature between the runs of the fabric at the central portions of the apparatus may be accurately determined.

we have, as above mentioned, found that the temperatures are considerably above those that are indicated when the short stemmed thermometers located at the sides of the apparatus may have been employed to determine the working temperatures within the ager.

The main object, therefore, of the present invention is to produce a process which shall give greater control over the temperatures within an ageing or fabric treating apparatus so that the defects heretofore encountered nated.

In general our invention comprises a rocedure such that the excess heat roduced) by condensation of the moisture aden steam vapors, and from other sources, is caused to be dispersed after being liberated so that the fabric may be kept evenly and uniformly at the desired temperature by causing the heat, which has been given off including that produced by the condensation of the moisture upon the fabric to be dissipated or conducted away so that the temperature within the apparatus shall not be raised to a point higher than that necessary to bring about the desired results.

We have found that if the moisture laden steam vapors or wet steam can be caused to circulate rapidly between the runs of the fabric and their movement controlled so as to have the heat conducted away and absorbed by the casing or by some conductive medium at various points, there will bea continuous removal of the excess heat and a consequent reduction in temperature. This circulation and removal of the excess heat may be accomplished in various ways, an example of which is described in connection with the following drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one form of apparatus adapted to carry out opr process.

Flg. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the arts taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Eig. 1.

Referrin to the figures of the drawing, the numeral 1 lndicates a casing of sheet metal which is rovided with a top 2, the left hand end 0f the casing being provided with an opening 3 through which the cloth may enter and emerge from the ager. The opening 3 is provided with means to suck away the steam which would tend to be dischar ed through said opening, said means preferaly comprising the fan or suction device 4 having a pipe 5 leading from the opening 3 and the inner end of which connects with a horizontal hood 6, beneath which the fabric passes, as indicated at 7 in Fig. 1. 4 A steam pi e 8 having a controlling valve 8 enters the ing at a point adjacent its bottom and is provided with a series of small openings 9 through which the steam is discharged in the form of jets. A pipe 10 forms a drain for the water which is condensed from the steam sothat the waterr which may run to the bottom may be positively and reliably elimi-r of the box is conducted away. The pipe 10 is preferably provided with a tra as indi cated, to maintain the water at a de nite level. The interior of the box is provided with two series of rolls 11 and 12 over which the cloth' being treated passes successively .in parallel vertical runs, as indicated in Fig. 1. Between the steam pipe 8 and the lowermost rolls 11 baliies 13, usually known as shingles, are sometimes used in order to give even distribution of the steam throughout thelower portion of the box and prevent water from spattering on the goods.

The top or upper side of the box is preferably provided with hollow heating plates 14 which are supplied with steam through/the pipe 15 and from which condensed water may be conducted away through the pipe 16. The heating plates 14 form a steam chest at the top of the ager and serve to prevent condensation of moisture on the inner surface thereof so that drops of water will not fall upon the fabric being treated. In the form of the apparatus described we separate the heating plates from the upper rolls 12 -by a considerably greater distance amounting to 15 to 24 inches instead of 3 to 6 inches as has heretofore been considered desirable and we also preferably use a lower steam pressure in the chest than is commonly used. These features of improvement tend to reduce the heat active upon the fabric and the greater height of the chest above the rolls and fabric reduces the effect of radiant heat falling directly upon the fabric. The box is preferably covered on the sides and top `with heat insulatirg material, such as asbestos, as indicated at 1 In the form of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings the rolls are arranged in a somewhat different manner from that usually employed in the agers commonly used heretofore. 4By reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings it w1ll be seen that thev first five r parallel runs of the cloth are comparatively close together. The next run, or sixth run, is separated from the fifth run by a somewhat greater distance, while the seventh and eighth, as well as the ninth and tenth runs are separated a considerably greater distance than the space between the fifth and sixth runs. Thereafter, from the tenth run of the fabric, until the end of the ager, the. runs are separated a distance apart which is closer than the previous runs and substantially similar to the spacing of the first five runs of the fabric. The distances, however, by which the various runs of the fabric are separated will depend upon the nature of the fabric being treated, the size and proportions of the ager, and other factors which will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The principal difference in arrangement of the rolls and the runs of the fabric above described over the prior use of such rolls in ageing apparatus is mainly in the variable l spaclng set forth. This variable spacing 1s required, as we have found from a large number of commercial test-s of ageing apparatus, by reason of the fact that when the rolls arc spaced closer together .throughout the length o f the ager, the heat evolved during the actions and reactions which take place upon the fabric by reason of the ap ilication of heat and f moisture, tended to ecoinc trapped, thereby raising the temperature to a point beyond that at which efficient reduction or a cmg) takes place, as previously referred to.

aria. le spacing overcomes this difficulty by allowmg free circulation of the steam vapors 1n the immediate vicinity of the surface of the fabric, so that the heat evolved from any cause, such' as condensation of the steam or by chemical reactions, is carried away and dissipated without accumulating and raising the temperature within the ager to a detri mental point.

It will, therefore, be apparent that one of the main features of our invention is a rapid dissipation of the excess heat evolved from any cause and a control of the heat which is active to produce the necessary reactions, so that the temperature may be maintained at the proper point for the most eilicient reduction and ageing throughout the apparatus. We have found that the most rapid reducing action taires places soon after the fabric enters the ager and the heatat the beginning of the process may be allowed to accumulate to a certain extent to overcome the cooler condition of the fabric as it enters the ager from the outside atmosphere, but after the chemical reactions and the ageing or reducing process have been initiated, it is desirable that further heat evolved be conducted los away or dissipated so that the temperature will not be raised to an undesirable point. These considerations explain the closer spacing of the runs of the fabric in the first part of the ageing apparatus and the wider spacing in the portion of the subsequent space within the ager. The latter part of the ager which may consist of practically four-fifths, more or less, of its length, may include closer spacing of the runs of the fabric since the chemical reactions take place in that portion at a considerable lower rate than in the earlier parts of the process, which may in clude the first one-fifth, more or. less, of the length of the ager.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other means for rapidly conducting away the heat may be provided in addition to those represented by the present drawings forming a part of this specification, but what we desire to claim and to protect by Letters Patent is the important feature in the process of ageing, which includes the dissipation of heat from those points where an excess of heat is evolved and a consequent control of the temperature within an a er to produce the most efficient reduction ofg the dyes used.

What we claim is:

1. The process of ageing vat color printed or dyed fabric by reduction in an atmosphere of steam vapor which comprises passing the fabric continuously throu h an atmosphere of steam vapor and causing t e excess heat given off by the action of heat and moisture upon the fabric and dyes to be dissi ated by a more rapid circulation of the over eated vapor in the immediate vicinity of the surfaces of the' fabric where the generation of heat is more intense than elsewhere and supplying saturated steam in place thereof.

l 2y The or dyed fa ric by reduction in an atmosphere of steam vapor which comprises passing the fabric continuously through an atmosphere of steam vapor and causing the excess heat given oil by the action of heat and moisture upon the fabric and dyes at points where the generation of heat is more intense than elsewhere to be dissipated by a more rapid circulation of the overheated vapor from the immediate vicinity of the surfaces of the fabric at said points and supplying 'saturated steam at the 4normal temperature in the place there- 3. The process of ageing vat color printed or dyed fabric by reduction in an atmosphere of steam vapor which comprises passing the fabric continuously through an atmosphere of steam vapor and causing the excess heat given off bythe action of heat and moisture upon the Afabric and dyes to be dissipated by a more rapid circulation and withdrawal of overheated vapor from the immediate vicinity of the surfaces of the fabric at predetermined points where the undesirable rises in temperature occur to a greater extent than elsewhere and supplying saturated steam at the normal-temperature at such points.

4. The v ordyed fav ricby reduction in an atmosphere of steam vapor which comprises passing the fabric continuously through an atmosphere of steam vapor, ca'using the excess heat given off by the action of heat and moisture upon the fabric and dyes to be dissipated by a more rapid withdrawal of the overheated vapor fromthe immediate vicinity of the surfaces ofthe fabric where .excess heat is generated, than from elsewhere, supplying saturated steam inthe place thereof and controlling the application of external heat in accordance with the excessl heat developed at the surfaces of the fabric.

5. The process of ageing vat color printed p or dyed fabric'by reduction in an atmosphere of steam vapor which comprises passing the fabric continuously through an atmosphere of steam vapor, causing the excess heat given ofi' ly the action of heat and moisturev upon the abric and dyes to be dissipated by continuous circulation lof the overheated vapor from the immediate vicinity of the surfaces of the fabric at predetermmed points, suplymg saturated steam to produce the proper egree of moisture and simultaneously controlllng the supply of external heat to maintam the va or active upon the fabric.

igned this 5th dapf December, 1927.

` ED ARD S. CHAPIN.

ARELI H. JACOBY.

rocess of ageing vat color printed i rocess of ageing vat color printed i proper temperature of the steam*l 

